“Go to your family, Wyatt. We got this.”
I see the struggle in him and I can’t say I blame him. I’m pissed about Paulie being a target, but I can’t imagine Wyatt’s rage right now at the idea of one of these animals putting hands on his kid.
Wyatt gives the kid a last, lethal look before turning and jogging to the house.
“Christ. This is such fucking bullshit,” Jace snarls and I second that with a nod when Case runs up, followed by Bronx and an openly crying Ronny.
“Please tell me this big idiot isn’t telling the truth,” she pleads as Bronx pulls her into his chest and tries to soothe her.
“It’s true, Ron. Cleo’s back and with Lynn on the lamb…”
Her shoulders sag and I wince when she practically crawls up Bronx as if she’s trying to get all the way inside the man.
“Shh, love, you know your man won’t let nobody touch you. We’re all gonna stay right here for the meanwhile and hunker down while we figure out a plan. Ain’t we?” he snarls, giving me a deadly glare.
“Sure, ah, we should go inside and get her to Paulie.”
Huh. For all Ronny’s bravado and snide comments, I really pity the woman because she’s not just terrified of Cleo, she’s hysterical with fear.
Whatever they’ve done to this woman, whatever she’s suffered, I make myself the promise that I’ll welcome her into the family and at least try to help her live a life free of the fear I can smell coming off her.
Bronx, the big ape, just croons softly to her and starts walking to the house as I leave Case, Miah, and Jace to clean up what’s left.
I need to see my baby now that I’m calmer, and I need to tell her how proud I am of her that she didn’t let the fear overtake her this time. She really came through in the end. I couldn’t ask for a better mate than Paulie Lane.
***
Paulette
The first thing I register when I open my eyes is an insistent pounding in my head that’s making me nauseous and dizzy, it’s so intense. And then I feel the cool drag of a washcloth over my forehead and the feather-light caress of Jared’s finger over my cheek.
“Hey, Cupcake,” he croons softly, smiling at me so sweetly, I almost feel better, or at least well enough to lift my lips for a kiss.
I try anyway and fall back down with a groan when my cranium explodes and little black dots swim in front of my eyes again.
“Whoa there, baby, just take it easy. You took a header, Ma says. Let me check you out. Do you feel like you have a concussion?”
His concern is sweet and all, but it’s rankling my nerves because I want to be the one offering comfort after what he’s been through, not the recipient because my stupid brain blinked off again and I face-planted in the carpet.
“No. I’m okay. It’s just a residual headache is all. I’m used to them. I just need some Tylenol and I’ll be good to go,” I mumble morosely, managing a smile when I swipe at my head and come away with something that…my giggle hurts when I see a Sponge Bob band aid dangling off my finger.
God I love that kid.
“Cupcake-”
“I’m okay Sugar.”
His finger pulls my chin up and I’m forced to meet his soft eyes when he looks at me askance.
“Cupcake?”
I look away, but he pulls my head back around and forces me to meet his eyes.
“What the hell is wrong, Paulette?” he asks and I know he’s getting annoyed because he only ever calls me that when he’s angry with me.
“Just one time I want to be the strong one, you know. I mean what is this shit! I’m always going all—”
“Hush, Paulette. I do not want to hear you put yourself down. Not ever, baby. You got a huge scare when I woke you the way I did, and I am so sorry for that. I was just so afraid you’d alert them that we were awake if I did it any other way. As for the rest…you realize I made you run through a pitch-black, spider-infested tunnel for almost a mile? And then you still had to deal with Miah’s ornery ass. I think you held up much better than you give yourself credit for. And besides, Ma says you only passed out when you heard the gunshots and that you moaned my name the whole time. Josh swears you looked just like Sleeping Beauty, and you know that if he says it, it must be true.”
Aaaw.
“I was so scared I was going to wake up and you’d be gone. Who were…no, that’s a stupid question,” I say, pulling myself up with a wince that has Jared growling in distress. “What did they want?”
I know part of it is about me, because, to be honest, I was sort of expecting something like this, just not this soon.
Jerry seems to have grown a nice pair of balls, and the thought makes me want to laugh at the absurdity of it all.